'Bones' exec explains shock death

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Bones creator Hart Hanson has explained his decision to kill off a recurring character.

Vincent Nigel Murray (Ryan Cartwright) died in last night's episode after being shot by deranged sniper Broadsky (Arnold Vosloo).

Hanson told TV Line that Cartwright's role in new Syfy pilot Alphas was the primary cause of Murray's demise.

"The truth is he got a job," explained the showrunner. "We knew [his exit] would happen before the end of this season, so the story has been in the works for a while."

He added that Cartwright's departure provided the season's penultimate installment with an emotional shock for viewers.

"[Vincent is] a well-beloved character," he admitted. "So we decided to kill him for the heartbreak."

Bones star David Boreanaz (Booth) previously claimed that Vincent's killer Broadsky could return in the show's seventh season, adding that the villain's reappearance could "bring up a lot of Booth's past".